Hamilton's decision shakes things up 
ESPN 100 No. 25 Isaac Hamilton, the multiskilled combination guard out of Bellflower (Calif.) St. John Bosco, shocked the recruiting world when he cast his lot with Tim Floyd and the UTEP Miners on Friday on ESPNU's "Signing Day Special." Most pundits thought he was headed to either UCLA or UNLV, but there is one critical aspect that can never be underestimated -- the rapport between coach and recruit.
Floyd had a distinct advantage over the other coaches because he already had built a bond with the Hamilton family in seasons past, dating back to the 1980s, when Floyd was an assistant coach at UTEP. Floyd recruited Isaac’s uncle Kevin Hamilton back then, and from there the seed was planted with the Hamilton family. Decades later that relationship was rekindled with Floyd’s recruitment of Isaac’s older brother Jordan while Floyd was at USC. Not surprisingly that previous connection would ultimately be the catalyst for Floyd landing Isaac.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
ABOUT THIS BLOG
Paul Biancardi
Paul Biancardi is the national director of recruiting and has over 19 years of Division I coaching experience, including being named named Horizon League coach of the year at Wright State in 2004.
Adam Finkelstein
Adam Finkelstein is the Northeast recruiting coordinator and has been a coach or scout at the high school, college, and pro levels.
Mike LaPlante
Mike LaPlante is the Southeast recruiting coordinator and has has over 20 years of coaching and recruiting experience.
Reggie Rankin
Reggie Rankin has coached in the SEC, Big 12, MAC, and others over 14 seasons. He has been a scout and analyst for RecruitingNation since 2007.
More RecruitingNation blogs
ESPN.com has the latest news, notes and analysis:
• On The Trail
• Dave Telep's blog